U.S. AIDS relief helps over 10 million

In 2003 the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) became the largest contribution to fighting a single disease in history, providing $18.8 billion in humanitarian aid to fight the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. According to the PEPFAR annual report to congress, the program has been successful in treating over 2 million people, and providing care for over 10 million. With the passing of the United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act in July, another $ 48 Billion will be provided over the next five years to help mitigate the impact of these diseases on the development of the third world, mainly Africa.

Although there is no question that PEPFAR has been a huge success, there are criticisms to the way in which much of the money was spent during the last five years under George Bush. According to IRIN, about one third of the money in the plan was appropriated to abstinence programs which many believe are an attempt to push Christian ideals onto the people of Africa, and have no scientific basis. The current plan also does not allow for programs that teach HIV prevention techniques to sex workers, or drug users. AIDS prevention activists believe that if the United States Government really wants to bring this program to it’s highest potential, their social ideologies must be left at the door, and more scientific, evidence-based methods must be put in place.